Biotechnology has been a topic of conflict throughout the years. Religions have been against the idea of cloning stating that scientists are "playing God" and saying that it is not natural or right to clone, or do stem cell research.
Pros
The excitement about stem cell research is primarily due to the medical benefits in areas of regenerative medicine and therapeutic cloning. Stem cells provide huge potential for finding treatments and cures to a vast array of diseases including different cancers, MS, Huntington's `Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, Heart Diseases, Stroke and Diabetes (Type 1), Birth Defects, Spinal Cord Injuries, Replace or Repair Damaged Organs, Reduced Risk of Transplantation. There is endless potential for scientists to learn about human growth and cell development from studying stem cells.
Use of adult-derived stem cells, from blood, skin and other tissues, has been demonstrated to be effective for treating different diseases in animal models. Umbilical-cord-derived stem cells have also been isolated and utilized for various experimental treatments. Another option is use of uni-parental stem cells. Although these cells lines have some disadvantages or shortcomings compared to embryonic cell lines (they are shorter-lived), there is vast potential if enough money is invested in researching them further, and they are not technically considered individual living beings by pro-life advocates.
Cons
Use of embryonic stem cells for research involves the destruction of blastocysts formed from laboratory-fertilized human eggs. For those who believe that life begins at conception, the blastocyst is a human life and to destroy it is unacceptable and immoral. This seems to be the only controversial issue standing in the way of stem cell research in North America. However, President Barack Obama lifted the restrictions on government funding for stem-cell research in March, 2009. Many hope that this extra funding will help spark innovation that has previously been restricted to the funds of private institutions.
WEBSITES: These websites are to help show debates and/or ideas on the topic of biotechnology
Biotechnology has been a topic of conflict throughout the years. Religions have been against the idea of cloning stating that scientists are "playing God" and saying that it is not natural or right to clone, or do stem cell research.
Pros
The excitement about stem cell research is primarily due to the medical benefits in areas of regenerative medicine and therapeutic cloning. Stem cells provide huge potential for finding treatments and cures to a vast array of diseases including different cancers, MS, Huntington's `Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, Heart Diseases, Stroke and Diabetes (Type 1), Birth Defects, Spinal Cord Injuries, Replace or Repair Damaged Organs, Reduced Risk of Transplantation. There is endless potential for scientists to learn about human growth and cell development from studying stem cells.
Use of adult-derived stem cells, from blood, skin and other tissues, has been demonstrated to be effective for treating different diseases in animal models. Umbilical-cord-derived stem cells have also been isolated and utilized for various experimental treatments. Another option is use of uni-parental stem cells. Although these cells lines have some disadvantages or shortcomings compared to embryonic cell lines (they are shorter-lived), there is vast potential if enough money is invested in researching them further, and they are not technically considered individual living beings by pro-life advocates.
Cons
Use of embryonic stem cells for research involves the destruction of blastocysts formed from laboratory-fertilized human eggs. For those who believe that life begins at conception, the blastocyst is a human life and to destroy it is unacceptable and immoral. This seems to be the only controversial issue standing in the way of stem cell research in North America. However, President Barack Obama lifted the restrictions on government funding for stem-cell research in March, 2009. Many hope that this extra funding will help spark innovation that has previously been restricted to the funds of private institutions.
WEBSITES:
These websites are to help show debates and/or ideas on the topic of biotechnology
These websites are dedicated to supporting one side of the bioethics debate
http://www.circare.org/ http://www.bio.org/